Open Mental Health Grants Fund - Application Form

Thank you for your interest in the Open Mental Health Grant. Please complete the application form below ensuring you have answered each question and provided sufficient detail.

We have specific funding for projects which work with those in the armed forces, promote the five ways to wellbeing and focus on suicide prevention. Please indicate below if your project falls under one of these categories.

Application for grants of £2,000 and under can be submitted at any time. We will aim to make a decision as soon as possible, ideally within 14 days dependent on staff capacity.

Applications for grants over £2,000 will need to be submitted by 12pm on the 31st October 2022. These will be assessed by a panel, which will take place approximately 1 month after the closing date, and applicants notified of the outcome within 14 days of the panel date. The next closing dates for the large grants are expected to be 31st January 2023 and 30th April 2023, but please do check this page for updates.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or your suitability to apply please contact us on grants@openmentalhealth.org.uk and we will be happy to help.

About the fund

We want to fund projects that demonstrate they can have a positive impact on mental health or wellbeing for residents of Somerset. Before submitting please check you meet the criteria below

• Your project should Somerset-based only as defined by the current Somerset County Council boundaries which include Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor and Somerset West & Taunton. Unfortunately it does not include projects predominantly based in BANES or North Somerset)
• Your project should be aimed at adults over 18
• Primary bidder must be a voluntary sector organisation (such as charity, CIC, unincorporated group, social enterprise) 
• Local groups/individuals who are not constituted can apply for a £2,000 and under grant, subject to appropriate governance being in place 
• We welcome and actively encourage partnership bids
• Capital & revenue costs can both be covered
• We will only fund costs which are involved in direct delivery of a project or activity
• Funded project must start within 6 months
• Your project should demonstrate how it links with the wider mental health provisions across the area you plan to work in

For grants of over £2,000

• Your project should demonstrate how it supports those affected by moderate to severe mental ill health
• Your project should demonstrate how you've gained input from those people who are likely to benefit from your project and how they've helped to shape the activity you are planning
• Your project should explain how people will be referred or signposted towards your project
• You organisation should show how it demonstrates the values aligned to the Open Mental Health Network
• We encourage applications from underrepresented groups